Fiji’s Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, has announced the discontinuation of the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) mobile app for broadcasting election results in the upcoming general election. This decision arises from issues encountered during the 2022 elections, where the app contributed to confusion among stakeholders due to inconsistent results reported across various platforms.
During her address to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, Mataiciwa detailed how the app led to discrepancies between the results shown on the app, those posted on the FEO website, and the information provided to media outlets. She highlighted that the demand for constant data uploads created pressure on the results team, which sometimes affected the verification of results.
To mitigate these challenges, the FEO intends to reintroduce a media center that was previously used in earlier elections. This center will enable journalists to receive verified results directly from the national results center, fostering a more reliable and efficient communication of election outcomes. Mataiciwa emphasized that this change is aimed at improving collaboration with media stakeholders and ensuring clarity in the dissemination of election results.
This initiative is part of FEO’s broader strategy to enhance electoral integrity, particularly in light of the discrepancies observed during the last election, which raised concerns about the electoral process’s reliability. By moving away from the problematic app and reinstating a media center, the FEO is taking significant steps to bolster public confidence ahead of the 2026 elections.
The FEO’s commitment to quality assurance mechanisms marks a positive shift towards transparency and reliable electoral outcomes. Despite past challenges, this new approach signals a brighter future for Fiji’s electoral integrity and further strengthens its democratic processes. With these ongoing reforms, Fiji is positioning itself to create a more resilient electoral framework that meets citizens’ expectations and upholds democratic values.